{"id":139,"date":"2022-08-30T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/housecaravan.com\/?p=139"},"modified":"2022-10-24T03:21:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T08:21:27","slug":"what-happens-when-you-stare-at-a-mirror-for-too-long","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/housecaravan.com\/what-happens-when-you-stare-at-a-mirror-for-too-long\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens When You Stare At a Mirror For Too Long?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What would happen if you stare at a mirror for too long is a common topic in both science and myth. Our team has done due diligence to find definite answers about what happens. And we have written this post to explain all you need to know about staring at a mirror for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens when you stare at a mirror for too long? <\/span>When you stare at the mirror for a long time, there would be image distortions. You may start to see altered or distorted images of yourself in the mirror. Some people even claim that they see the faces of other people or animals. This is called the strange face in the mirror illusion. However, some people experience no illusions or alterations.<\/b><\/p>\n

What is responsible for image distortions when people stare in a mirror for long? Are there spiritual causes of the strange face in the mirror illusion? Is it just a figment of the mind? Should you avoid staring in a mirror for long? Read on to find the answers to these questions, among other things<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Christian Mack<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What are \u201cStrange-face in the Mirror\u201d Illusions?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Strange-face illusions refer to experiences where strange faces appear when a person stares into a mirror for a long time. If you gaze at your face in a mirror for a long time, you will start noticing distortions. The distortions can be so much that you see a monster-like image. This illusion is more likely to occur when there is low illumination.<\/p>\n

Seeing strange faces is normal when you stare in a mirror for a long. It only takes a few minutes for your visual perception to shift, especially under low light. As you focus on a part of your face, other areas begin to fade out. This is what creates the illusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Do People Have Mirror Hallucinations?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Mirror illusions may progress to a point where a person has mirror hallucinations. As we have explained, mirror illusions make you see distorted images of your face. But when there\u2019s mirror hallucination, you may start seeing monsters, faces of dead people, archetypical faces, and animals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Collov Home Design<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Science explains that this phenomenon is a complex effect in the brain that tries to compensate for illusions. In compensating, the brain brings up images from those previously stored in it. These images may include monster images from movies, memories of dead loved ones, and so on. Myth, on the other hand, has it that there is an extra-terrestrial world behind mirrors. So, according to these myths, both mirror illusions and mirror hallucinations have spiritual causes.<\/p>\n

Are There Spiritual Causes for Mirror Illusions and Hallucinations?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Scientists have conducted mirror-gazing tests (MGT)<\/a> to determine the causes of mirror illusions and hallucinations. They realized that it\u2019s caused by changes in visual perception. But the same people still perform mirror-gazing as a spiritual practice.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Science View?<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you fix your gaze on anything, the surrounding areas begin to gradually fade away. In other words, your brain tunes out the surrounding areas that you are not looking at. Conversely, it amplifies the perception of the point where you have fixed your gaze.<\/p>\n

As a result of this, there are distortions in your view. Scientists call this phenomenon the \u201cTroxler Effect\u201d. Amazingly, the Troxler Effect has been discovered since 1804. The effect was named after the man who discovered it – the philosopher and physician Ignaz Troxler.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo by Peter Herrmann<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What is the Troxler Effect in Mirror-Gazing?<\/h2>\n

In mirror-gazing, while you look at your eyes, other areas start to fade away. This gradual fading away of surrounding areas is what scientists call \u201cThe Troxler Effect\u201d. The Troxler effect refers to how peripheral images fade away when you fix your gaze on any particular point. Some people refer to this effect as \u201cthe blindness of focus\u201d. <\/p>\n

It usually takes time for the Troxler effect to kick in. So you may not experience the Troxler Effect<\/a> in mirror-gazing except if you stare into the mirror for long. But if you stare long enough, areas in the peripheral view of your eyes will begin to fade off.<\/p>\n

When this happens, it may seem like your face is blending into the mirror. For instance, if you focus your gaze on your lips, they may appear larger. At the same time, your forehead may begin to fade off. These, along with other distortions that occur, may create a terrifying image. You can check out this article titled, how is the Troxler Effect applicable to mirrors<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

\u2705 Video – Why You See Monsters In The Mirror<\/h3>\n

In this video, Hank Green explains mirror illusions from a scientific and psychological point of view. What do mirror illusions tell us about self-awareness? Why do we sometimes have these illusions? Watch this video now to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n

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